Richland County restaurant inspections: critical violations

The following restaurant inspections with critical violations were conducted by Richland Public Health between Dec. 15 and Dec. 20:

• Lexington Jr. High School, 90 Frederick St., Lexington, Dec. 15. Food in contact with an unclean surface or linens (critical, corrected during inspection). The nonfood contact surface of the bottom of a pan was observed stored on top of tater tots in a cart. Pan was removed and clean tray elevated off tater tots utilized. Hot water for mechanical sanitization is below required temperature (critical). During inspection, multiple temperature readings of mechanical Hobart machine rinse cycle measured only between 163-171 degrees instead of 180 degrees as stated on data placard

Correct by Feb. 2.

• Mansfield Restaurant Inc./Westside, 1090 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Dec. 16. Handwashing sink is being used for purposes other than handwashing (critical, corrected). Observed soiled cooking pan placed in hand sink next to cook line. Quaternary ammonium sanitizing solution at incorrect temperature, concentration, and/or water hardness (critical repeat, corrected). Bucket of sanitizer by cook line had strength of 100 ppm. PIC had remade to correct strength. Equipment food-contact surfaces or utensils are unclean (critical, corrected). Can opener blade had visible residue. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical repeat, corrected). Three door make table lower area was not maintaining a temperature of 41 degrees or below. PIC voluntarily discarded TCS items. Unit is not to be used until it can maintain a temperature of 41 degrees or below.

• The Whiffletree Restaurant, 28 Main St., Butler, Dec. 17. Food employee(s) did not wash hands when required (critical, corrected). Two employees observed donning new gloves without first washing hands. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging, and segregation (critical repeat, corrected). Beverage ice observe uncovered in freezing unit and subject to sneeze, splash, dirt and dust.

• China Buffet, 2216 Richland Mall Drive, Ontario, Dec. 17. Person in charge did not ensure their employees are properly trained in food safety (critical, corrected). Observed multiple critical violations regarding date marking, cooling methods and white rice acidification. Discussed food safety information. Chlorine sanitizing solution at incorrect temperature and/or concentration (critical). Observed the warewashing machine to be at 10 ppm. Facility to use three-compartment sink to wash, rinse and sanitized dishes until dish machine is repaired. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical repeat, corrected). Observed sushi rolls on the buffet line cold held at 47 degrees. PIC states sushi rolls were made with newly cooked rice about one hour prior. PIC placed in walk-in freezer to cooler to 41 degrees or less. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected). Observe cut honeydew and cantaloupe on the buffet line to be at 49 degrees. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical, corrected). Observed crab salad and cooked chicken in the small walk-in cooler with no date mark. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical, corrected). Observed crab salad in the two-door prep cooler not date marked. White rice improperly acidified to render it non-TCS, or without a HACCP plan (critical repeat, corrected). PIC was unable to perform proper pH test on acidified white rice. pH meter was showing a 4.8 and the rice temperature was 80 degrees. PIC voluntarily discarded rice.

• NC State/OSU-M Child Development Center, 2441 Kenwood Circle, Mansfield, Dec. 17. Food employee(s) did not wash hands when required (critical, corrected). Employee touched her mask and started to touch clean equipment without washing hands.

• Ontario AMVETS Post 31, 2943 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Dec. 17. No person in charge present in food facility during inspection (critical). Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected). Raw bacon stored over raw cole slaw. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected). Raw ground beef in refrigerator over top of cooked chicken and cheese. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical, corrected). Cooked chicken was not date marked. About one pound of chicken was thrown away. Ready-to-eat, TCS food not properly discarded when required (critical, corrected). One pound of bologna store dated Oct. 20 was voluntarily destroyed.

• Tacos & Margaritas, 288 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, Dec. 17. Employees are not informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report information about their health (critical, corrected). Food employee(s) not washing hands in approved handwashing sink or automatic handwashing facility (critical, corrected). Employee observed washing hands in produce sink. Handwashing sink not accessible (critical, corrected). Utensil rack observed in hand sink next to warewashing. Improper reheating of food for hot holding (critical, corrected). Pork and queso in hot holding unit that was in there over an hour was at between 128 degrees and 145 degrees. PIC put on gas range and rapidly brought above 165 degrees. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical, corrected). Sliced tomatoes that were sliced previous day did not have date marking.

• Just PIA, LLC dba The Field Market, 101 N. Main St., Mansfield, Dec. 20. Employees are not informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report information about their health (critical, corrected). PIC unable to locate signed copies of employee health policies at the time of inspection. Provided Richland Public Health's employee illness reporting agreement form.

• Love's Travel Stop #711, 976 Ohio 97, Bellville, Dec. 20. Person in charge did not ensure their employees are properly trained in food safety (critical, corrected). Employees working in the kitchen were unable to answer correctly the questions on what temperature is the maximum for time temperature controlled foods and what temperature the ware washing water should be. Employees are not informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report information about their health (critical, corrected). Emailing an employee illness reporting agreement. TCS foods not being cold held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected). Large amounts of cut lettuce at 44 degrees.

• I-71 & Rt. 97 Duchess # 1188, 860 Ohio 97, Bellville, Dec. 20. Handwashing sink not accessible (critical). Equipment stored in front of the hand sink next to the three compartment sink. Correct immediately. Food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation (critical, corrected). Smokey cheese dogs and hot dogs in open package. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS foods not properly date marked (critical). Smokey cheese dogs and hot dogs open and not date marked. Correct immediately.

• Mansfield Correctional Institution - Main, 1150 N. Main St., Mansfield, Dec. 20. TCS foods not being hot held at the proper temperature (critical, corrected). Hot holding BBQ patties were measured at 131 degrees. Patties were reheated to over 165 degrees. Food contact surfaces not easily cleanable (critical). Pots and pan observed dented and no longer smooth and cleanable. Insufficient air gap between the flood rim and the water supply inlet (critical, corrected). Two of three spray nozzles at warewashing in pots and pans section observed stored below flood line and subject to back siphonage. Nozzles re-adjusted to be greater than one inch above flood level.

For full inspection details, visit healthspace.com/Clients/Ohio/Richland/web.nsf.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County restaurant inspections: critical violations Dec. 15-20